209439an

13.11.2020 21:33 •  Английский язык

Инфинитив, герундий или причастие? Прочитайте текст. Преобразуйте, если необходимо, слова в скобках так, чтобы они грамматически соответствовали содержанию текста. Заполните пропуски полученными словами. Christmas

Whatever else Christmas may (1) (stand for), one thing it still means is (2) (eat). Christmas has traditionally been a time of the year when people try (3) (cheer) themselves up during the cold months of winter. Last year more than 10 million turkeys were bought in Britain alone during the festive season to satisfy the nation’s appetite. Health experts may continue (4) (complain) about all this self-indulgence, but they fail (5) (realise) that there is nothing new about feasting, (6) (practise) by people at this time of the year.

The Roman Saturnalia, which was a festival in honour of the god of agriculture, started on December, 19. Among other things, the Saturnalia involved (7) (light) candles and (8) (give) gifts. People who had spent the whole year (9) (save) money suddenly became extravagant. In addition to (10) (exchange) gifts, this time of the year was also an occasion for masters and slaves alike (11) (eat) excessively. At one Saturnalia feast an emperor spent the equivalent of $ 900,000 on a dinner for twelve guests, (12) (make) up of delicious food. So, when mealtime comes round on December, 25, there’s no point in (13) (have) a guilty conscience. In fact, the occasional seasonal feast may (14) (promote) good health and stop year-round (15) (overeat).